Process for optimizing a heat exchanger configuration

ABSTRACT

A heat exchanger core optimization method is provided for a heat exchanger door which resides at an air inlet or outlet side of an electronics rack, and includes an air-to-coolant heat exchanger with a heat exchanger core. The core includes a first coolant channel coupled to a coolant inlet manifold downstream from a second coolant channel, and the first channel has a shorter channel length than the second channel. Further, coolant channels of the core are coupled to provide counter-flow cooling of an airflow passing across the core. The core optimization method determines at least one combination of parameters that optimize for a particular application at least two performance metrics of the heat exchanger. This method includes obtaining performance metrics for boundary condition(s) of possible heat exchanger configurations with different variable parameters to determine a combination of parameters that optimize the performance metrics for the heat exchanger.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/443,094, filedApr. 10, 2012, and entitled “Process for Optimizing a Heat ExchangerConfiguration”, and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND

The power dissipation of integrated circuit chips, and the modulescontaining the chips, continues to increase in order to achieveincreases in processor performance. This trend poses a cooling challengeat both module and system levels. Increased airflow rates are needed toeffectively cool high-powered modules, and to limit the temperature ofthe air that is exhausted into the computer center.

In many large server applications, processors, along with theirassociated electronics (e.g., memory, disk drives, power supplies,etc.), are packaged in removable drawer configurations stacked within arack or frame. In other cases, the electronics may be in fixed locationswithin the rack or frame. Typically, the components are cooled by airmoving in parallel airflow paths, usually front-to-back, impelled by oneor more air-moving devices (e.g., fans or blowers). In some cases, itmay be possible to handle increased power dissipation within a singledrawer by providing greater airflow, through the use of a more powerfulair-moving device, or by increasing the rotational speed (i.e., RPMs) ofan existing air-moving device.

The sensible heat load carried by the air exiting the rack is stressingthe capability of the room air-conditioning to effectively handle theload. This is especially true for large installations with “serverfarms”, or large banks of computer racks close together. In suchinstallations, liquid-cooling (e.g., water-cooling) is an attractivetechnology to manage the higher heat fluxes. The liquid absorbs the heatdissipated by the components/modules in an efficient manner. Typically,the heat is ultimately transferred from the liquid to an outsideenvironment.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantagesare provided through the provision of a method, which includes:determining at least one combination of parameters that optimizes atleast two performance metrics of a heat exchanger. The determiningincludes: ascertaining at least two variable parameters of the heatexchanger; ascertaining at least one boundary condition for the heatexchanger; obtaining, by at least one processor, at least twoperformance metrics for the at least one boundary condition for at leasttwo possible heat exchanger configurations of the heat exchanger thatinclude different combinations of the at least two variable parameters;and using the at least one processor in determining which of the atleast two possible heat exchanger configurations optimizes the at leasttwo performance metrics for the at least one boundary condition, thedetermining facilitating ascertaining at least one combination of the atleast two variable parameters that optimizes the at least twoperformance metrics of the heat exchanger.

In another aspect, a method is provided which includes determining atleast one combination of parameters that optimizes performance metricsof an air-to-coolant heat exchanger. The determining includes:ascertaining at least one non-variable parameter and at least twovariable parameters of the air-to-coolant heat exchanger; ascertainingat least two boundary conditions for the heat exchanger; obtaining, byat least one processor, at least two performance metrics, for the atleast two boundary conditions, of at least two possible heat exchangerconfigurations that include different combinations of the at least onenon-variable parameter and the at least two variable parameters; andusing the at least one processor in determining whether a possible heatexchanger configuration of the at least two possible heat exchangerconfigurations has acceptable performance metrics for the at least twoboundary conditions, thereby facilitating determining at least onecombination of the at least one non-variable parameter and the at leasttwo variable parameters that provides desired performance metrics, forthe at least two boundary conditions, of the air-to-coolant heatexchanger, wherein the at least two performance metrics includes a heatremoval rate from airflow across the air-to-coolant heat exchanger andan air side pressure drop across the air-to-coolant heat exchanger.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniquesof the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the inventionare described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimedinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more aspects of the present invention are particularly pointedout and distinctly claimed as examples in the claims at the conclusionof the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, andadvantages of the invention are apparent from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a raised floor layout of a computerinstallation capable of being retrofitted with one or more air-coolingapparatuses, in accordance with one or more aspects of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2A is a top plan view of one embodiment of an electronics rack witha heat exchanger door mounted to an air outlet side thereof, and withextracted heat being rejected to facility coolant via a coolantdistribution unit, in accordance with one or more aspects of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2B is a side elevational view of the electronics rack and heatexchanger door of FIG. 2A, in accordance with one or more aspects of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of a data center layout comprisingmultiple coolant distribution units providing coolant to a plurality ofelectronics racks with air-cooling apparatuses mounted to at least oneof the air inlet sides or air outlet sides thereof, in accordance withone or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts one implementation of a partially assembled heatexchanger door to be modified, in accordance with one or more aspects ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5A depicts an electronics rack with an air-cooling apparatusdisposed at one of the air outlet side or air inlet side thereof, andwith the heat exchanger door shown in a latched position, in accordancewith one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 5B depicts the electronics rack and air-cooling apparatus of FIG.5A, with the heat exchanger door shown in an unlatched and openposition, in accordance with one or more aspects of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 depicts an inner side, isometric view of one partial embodimentof the heat exchanger door of FIGS. 5A & 5B, in accordance with one ormore aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a partial cross-sectional plan view of the electronics rackand air-cooling apparatus of FIGS. 5A-6, shown with the heat exchangerdoor latched to the electronics rack, in accordance with one or moreaspects of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a partial cross-sectional elevational side view taken alongline 7B-7B in FIG. 7A, and shown with the latch lever of the door latchmechanism latched to the catch bracket of the air-cooling apparatus, inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 7C depicts the partial cross-sectional elevational view of FIG. 7B,with the latch lever unlatched or disengaged from the catch bracket toallow opening of the heat exchanger door, in accordance with one or moreaspects of the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a front isometric view of one embodiment of the door latchmechanism of FIGS. 7A-7C, in accordance with one or more aspects of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8B is a back isometric view of the door latch mechanism of FIG. 8A,in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the catch bracket ofFIGS. 7A-7C of the air-cooling apparatus, in accordance with one or moreaspects of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional plan view of another embodiment ofa heat exchanger door, configured with an inward-curved or inward-angledlatch edge, in accordance with one or more aspects of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11A is a partially exploded view of one embodiment of a heatexchanger door assembly, in accordance with one or more aspects of thepresent invention;

FIG. 11B is an enlarged depiction of an upper portion of the partiallyexploded door assembly of FIG. 11A, in accordance with one or moreaspects of the present invention;

FIG. 11C is an enlarged depiction of a lower portion of the partiallyexploded door assembly of FIG. 11A, in accordance with one or moreaspects of the present invention;

FIG. 12A is a front elevational view of the assembly of FIGS. 5A & 5B,with the heat exchanger door coupled to the electronics rack, inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 12B is a partial cross-sectional plan view of the assembly of FIG.12A, taken along line 12B-12B thereof, in accordance with one or moreaspects of the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a portion of one embodiment of a heatexchanger door assembly, illustrating a structural support coupled tothe heat exchanger casing, and defining a tubular door support beamstructure, in accordance with one or more aspects of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a portion of aplurality coolant channels and inlet and outlet manifolds of a heatexchanger configuration, in accordance with one or more aspects of thepresent invention;

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a portion ofa plurality coolant channels and inlet and outlet manifolds of a heatexchanger configuration, in accordance with one or more aspects of thepresent invention;

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of a portionof a plurality coolant channels and inlet and outlet manifolds of a heatexchanger configuration, in accordance with one or more aspects of thepresent invention;

FIG. 17 depicts a flowchart of one embodiment of a process fordetermining a combination of parameters that optimize at least twoperformance metrics of a heat exchanger, in accordance with one or moreaspects of the present invention;

FIG. 18 depicts one example of a computing environment to implement oneor more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a visual representation of performance metrics and heatexchanger parameters for different heat exchanger configurations withdiffering combinations of parameters, in accordance with one or moreaspects of the present invention; and

FIGS. 20A & 20B are a visual representation of optimum fin parametersfor heat exchanger configurations with differing numbers of rows ofcoolant channels, in accordance with one or more aspects of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the terms “electronics rack”, “rack unit”, and “rack”are used interchangeably, and unless otherwise specified, include anyhousing, frame, support structure, compartment, blade server system,etc., having one or more heat generating components of a computer systemor electronic system, and may be, for example, a stand-alone computerprocessor having high, mid or low end processing capability. In oneembodiment, an electronics rack may comprise a portion of an electronicsystem, a single electronic system, or multiple electronic systems, forexample, in one or more sub-housings, blades, books, drawers, nodes,compartments, etc., having one or more heat-generating electroniccomponents disposed therein. An electronic system within an electronicsrack may be movable or fixed relative to the electronics rack, with therack-mounted electronic drawers of a multi-drawer rack unit and bladesof a blade center system being two examples of systems (or subsystems)of an electronics rack to be cooled.

Further, as used herein, “air-to-coolant heat exchanger” means any heatexchange mechanism characterized as described herein through whichcoolant can circulate; and includes, one or more discrete air-to-coolantheat exchangers coupled either in series or in parallel. Anair-to-coolant heat exchanger may comprise, for example, one or morecoolant flow paths, formed of thermally conductive tubings (such ascopper or other tubing) in thermal or mechanical contact with aplurality of air-cooled cooling fins (such as aluminum or other fins).Unless otherwise specified, size, configuration and construction of theair-to-coolant heat exchanger can vary without departing from the scopeof the invention disclosed herein. A “coolant-to-liquid heat exchanger”may comprise, for example, two or more coolant flow paths, formed ofthermally conductive tubings (such as copper or other tubing) in thermalor mechanical contact with each other to facilitate conduction of heattherebetween. Size, configuration and construction of thecoolant-to-liquid heat exchanger can vary without departing from thescope of the invention disclosed herein. Further, as used herein, “datacenter” refers to a computer installation containing one or moreelectronics racks, and as a specific example, a data center may includeone or more rows of rack-mounted computing units, such as server units.

One example of facility coolant and system coolant is water. However,the concepts disclosed herein are readily adapted to use with othertypes of coolant on the facility side and/or on the system side. Forexample, one or more of the coolants may comprise a water-glycolmixture, a brine, a fluorocarbon liquid, a liquid metal, or othersimilar coolant, or a refrigerant, while still maintaining theadvantages and unique features of the present invention. Further, theterm “coolant” refers to any liquid or gas, or combination thereof, usedto remove heat, in accordance with the structures and concepts disclosedherein.

Reference is made below to the drawings, which are not drawn to scale tofacilitate an understanding of the invention, wherein the same referencenumbers used throughout different figures designate the same or similarcomponents.

As shown in FIG. 1, in a raised floor layout of an air cooled computerinstallation or data center 100, multiple electronics racks 110 may bedisposed in one or more rows. A computer installation such as depictedin FIG. 1 may house several hundred, or even several thousandprocessors. In the arrangement of FIG. 1, chilled air enters thecomputer room via floor vents from a supply air plenum 145 definedbetween a raised floor 140 and a base or sub-floor 165 of the room.Cooled air is taken in through louvered covers at the front, or airinlet sides 120, of the electronics racks and expelled through the back,or air outlet sides 130, of the electronics racks. Each electronics rack110 may have one or more air-moving devices (e.g., fans or blowers) toprovide forced inlet-to-outlet airflow to cool the electronic componentswithin the rack. Supply air plenum 145 provides conditioned and cooledair to the air-inlet sides of the electronics racks via perforated floortiles 160 disposed (in one embodiment) in a “cold” air aisle of the datacenter. The conditioned and cooled air is supplied to plenum 145 by oneor more air-conditioning units 150, which may also be disposed withindata center 100. Room air is taken into each air-conditioning unit 150near an upper portion thereof. In the depicted embodiment, this room aircomprises in part exhausted air from the “hot” air aisles of the datacenter defined by opposing air outlet sides 130 of the electronics racks110.

Due to ever increasing airflow requirements through electronics racks,and the limits of air distribution within the typical computer roominstallation, recirculation problems within the room may occur.Recirculation can occur because the conditioned air supplied through thefloor tiles may only be a fraction of the airflow rate forced throughthe electronics racks by the air moving devices disposed within theracks. This can be due, for example, to limitations on the tile sizes(or diffuser flow rates). The remaining fraction of the supply of inletside air may be made up by ambient room air through recirculation, forexample, from the air outlet side of the rack unit to the air inletside. This recirculating flow is often very complex in nature, and canlead to significantly higher rack inlet temperatures than might beexpected.

Recirculation of hot exhaust air from the hot aisle of the computer roominstallation to the cold aisle can be detrimental to the performance andreliability of the computer system(s) or electronic system(s) within therack(s). Data center equipment is typically designed to operate withrack air inlet temperatures in the 15-35° C. range. For a raised floorlayout such as depicted in FIG. 1, however, temperatures can range from15-20° C. at the lower portion of the rack, close to the cool air floorvents, to as much as 32-42° C. at the upper portion of the electronicsrack, where hot air can form a self-sustaining recirculation loop. Sincethe allowable rack heat load is limited by the rack inlet airtemperature at the “hot” part, this temperature distribution correlatesto an inefficient utilization of available air conditioning capability.Computer installation equipment almost always represents a high capitalinvestment to the customer. Thus, it is of significant importance, froma product reliability and performance view point, and from a customersatisfaction and business perspective, to achieve a substantiallyuniform temperature across the air inlet side of the rack unit.

Referring collectively to FIGS. 2A & 2B, these figures depict oneembodiment of a cooled electronic system, generally denoted 200, whichincludes an electronics rack 210 having an inlet door 220 and an outletdoor 230. The inlet and outlet doors have openings to allow for theingress and egress of air 201, respectively, through the air inlet sideand air outlet side of electronics rack 210. The system further includesat least one air-moving device 212 for moving air across at least oneelectronic system or component 214 disposed within the electronics rack.Located within outlet door 230 is an air-to-coolant heat exchanger 240across which the inlet-to-outlet airflow 201 through the electronicsrack passes. As shown in FIG. 2A, a system coolant loop 245 couplesair-to-coolant heat exchanger 240 to a coolant distribution unit 250.Coolant distribution unit 250 is used to buffer the air-to-coolant heatexchanger from facility coolant in a facility coolant loop 260.Air-to-coolant heat exchanger 240 removes heat from the exhaustedinlet-to-outlet airflow 201 through the electronics rack via circulatingsystem coolant, for rejection in coolant distribution unit 250 tofacility coolant in facility coolant loop 260, for example, via acoolant-to-liquid heat exchanger 252 disposed therein. By way ofexample, such a system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,385,810 B2,issued Jun. 10, 2008, and entitled “Apparatus and Method forFacilitating Cooling of an Electronics Rack Employing a Heat ExchangeAssembly Mounted to an Outlet Door Cover of the Electronics Rack”. Thiscooling apparatus can advantageously reduce heat load on the existingair-conditioning unit(s) within the data center, and facilitates coolingof electronics racks by cooling (in one embodiment) the air egressingfrom the electronics rack and thus cooling any air recirculating to theair inlet side thereof

In one implementation, inlet and outlet coolant manifolds of thedoor-mounted, air-to-coolant heat exchanger are also mounted within theheat exchanger door and are coupled to coolant supply and return linesdisposed, for example, beneath a raised floor. Alternatively, overheadsystem coolant supply and return lines might be provided for theair-to-coolant heat exchangers. In such an embodiment, system coolantwould enter and exit the respective coolant inlet and outlet manifoldsfrom the top of the rack door, for example, using flexible coolantsupply and return hoses, which may be at least partially looped andsized to facilitate opening and closing of the heat exchanger door.Additionally, structures may be provided at the ends of the hoses torelive stress at the hose ends, which would result from opening orclosing of the door.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of one embodiment of a data center, generallydenoted 300, with cooled electronic systems comprising door-mounted,air-to-coolant heat exchangers, such as disclosed herein. Data center300 includes a plurality of rows of electronics racks 210, each of whichincludes (by way of example only) an inlet door 220 at the air inletside, and a hinged heat exchanger door 230 at the air outlet side, suchas described above in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 2A & 2B.In this embodiment, each heat exchanger door 230 comprises anair-to-coolant heat exchanger and system coolant inlet and outletmanifolds. Multiple coolant conditioning units 250, which function inpart as coolant pumping units, are disposed within the data center(possibly along with one or more air-conditioning units (not shown)). Byway of example only, each pumping unit may form a system coolantdistribution subsystem with one row of a plurality of electronics racks.Each pumping unit includes a coolant-to-liquid heat exchanger where heatis transferred from a system coolant loop to a facility coolant loop. Inoperation, chilled facility coolant, such as water, is received via afacility coolant supply line 301, and returned via a facility coolantreturn line 302. System coolant, such as water, is provided via a systemcoolant supply manifold 310 extending below the respective row ofelectronics racks, and is returned via a system coolant return manifold320 also extending below the respective row of electronics racks. In oneembodiment, the system coolant supply and return manifolds 310, 320 arehard-plumbed within the data center, for example, within an air supplyplenum of the data center, and may be preconfigured to align under andinclude branch lines (or hoses) extending towards the electronics racksin a respective row of racks.

FIG. 4 depicts one version of a heat exchanger door 230 for mounting tothe air outlet side of an electronics rack, such as described above inconnection with FIGS. 2A-3. This embodiment is described in detail inthe above-noted U.S. Pat. No. 7,385,810 B2, and represents one versionof an outlet door 230 with an air-to-coolant heat exchanger 240 mountedtherein. In this embodiment, a coolant inlet manifold 410 and coolantoutlet manifold 420 are provided along a hinge edge 401, which isconfigured to facilitate hinged mounting of the outlet door to anelectronics rack. The coolant inlet and outlet manifolds 410, 420further include couplings, such as quick connect couplings 411, 421within the outlet door that are aligned vertically with the coolantinlet and outlet manifolds.

A heat exchanger door, such as depicted in FIG. 4, comprises a coolingdevice, and replaces (for example) a door of an electronics rack. Whenincorporated as an outlet door, the heat exchanger door does not provideany direct cooling to the electronic components within the electronicsrack, but rather facilitates a reduction in the exhaust air temperatureinto the data center that may re-circulate to the air inlet side, aswell as reduces the heat load to be removed by, for example, thecomputer room air-conditioning units, and thus, facilitates managementof the heat load within the data center. Depending on theimplementation, since the temperature of air leaving the electronicsrack via a heat exchanger door, such as as disclosed herein, can be ascold as or colder than the air entering the electronics rack, usage ofthe heat exchanger door proposed herein may decrease or even eliminatethe need for computer room air-conditioners within the data center.

Advantages of using a heat exchanger door, especially configured, suchas disclosed herein, include: the ability to support a much higherpower-rack load than can otherwise be supported by traditionalair-cooling of the data center alone, which is generally limited toabout 10-15 kW/rack for the majority of data centers; eliminates theuncomfortable hot aisle/cold aisle data center floor configuration;eliminates the need for hot aisle and/or cold aisle containment; hassignificant energy efficiency, that is, as compared with conventionalair-cooling, where the typical air-cooled data center must pay for theelectrical power used by the blowers and the computer roomair-conditioner to force the chilled air under the floor and through theperforated tiles on the floor, to the inlet sides of the electronicsracks; utilizes a coolant (such as water) which can result in a 4× to10× reduction in the cooling cost of a data center; solves the hot spotissues within a data center due to recirculation of exhaust air; is apassive apparatus, requiring no power at the heat exchanger door, anddepending on the implementation, requires no fans or control elementswhich would need to be purchased or replaced if failed; and creates noextra noise within the data center environment.

In view of the significant importance, from a product reliability andperformance viewpoint, and from a customer satisfaction and businessperspective, to achieve a substantially uniform temperature across theair inlet side of the electronics rack, disclosed herein are variousenhancements to the air-cooling apparatus and heat exchanger doorconfiguration described above in connection with FIGS. 2A-4.

There are two primary objectives in designing a heat exchanger door,which are in opposition to each other. These objectives are:

-   -   1. A desire to maximize the amount of heat which can be removed        from the air stream. In a simplest form, this can be        accomplished by increasing the fin density of the heat exchanger        core.    -   2. A desire to minimize the air-side pressure drop across the        heat exchanger. Since in certain embodiments disclosed herein        the heat exchanger door does not have any fans of its own, the        fans in the existing electronics rack need to provide enough        flow to counteract the impedance of airflow through the        electronic system(s) (e.g., server(s)), as well as through the        heat exchanger door. For a fixed fan speed, the net airflow rate        delivered by the fans will decrease as the impedance of the heat        exchanger door increases. This decrease in airflow might trigger        thermal sensors to signal for more airflow by increasing the        speed (RPMs), power consumption, and thus noise of the fans or        other air-moving devices. If the air-moving devices are already        at their maximum speed, they are unable to increase speed, and        increased component temperatures will result. In its simplest        form, decreasing the air-side pressure drop of the heat        exchanger door can be accomplished by decreasing the fin density        of the heat exchanger core. Therefore, maintaining a very low        airflow impedance for the heat exchanger door is important to a        commercially successful implementation.

Since power consumption continues to dramatically increase withinelectronics rack, provided herein are various enhancements to theabove-described heat exchanger door, which result, for example, in a 2×improvement in heat removal compared to the outlet door version depictedin FIG. 4, without increasing the air-side pressure drop (impedance).Other objectives in designing a heat exchanger door include: minimizingcoolant-side flow rate and pressure drop requirements to minimizepumping costs (operating expenses); minimize weight of the door itself,which must be shipped and installed; minimize costs (that is, minimizecapital expense); minimize thickness of the door to decrease thefootprint of the electronics rack and heat exchanger door together; andensure flow uniformity across the parallel flow paths through the heatexchanger door.

To achieve the conflicting goals of maximizing heat removal, whilemaintaining an acceptably low air-side pressure drop, numerousmechanical structural changes are disclosed herein, so as to maximizethe height and width of the heat exchanger core to be as close to theheight and width of the heat exchanger door as possible. Advantageously,as the core is made wider, a greater fin surface area is achieved, andthere is a decrease in the inlet air velocity entering the heatexchanger door, that is, a larger frontal area for the same volumetricflow rate, and hence, a lower air-side pressure drop is achieved. It isalso possible to lower the fin density while maintaining the samesurface area, and thereby significantly decrease the air-side pressuredrop due to the effects of lower inlet velocity and lower fin pitch.With respect to the heat exchanger core, the following dimensions aresignificant: height of the heat exchanger door; height of the exchangercore itself; unusable height for the heat exchanger core; the width ofthe electronics rack, and thus (in one embodiment) the width of the heatexchanger door; the width of the heat exchanger core; and the unusablewidth of the heat exchanger door for the heat exchanger core. Note thatas used herein, the heat exchanger core is assumed to have a width andheight substantially corresponding to an airflow opening formed withinthe door frame or assembly of the heat exchanger door. Thus, maximizingthe size of the heat exchanger core corresponds, in one embodiment, tomaximizing the size of the airflow opening in the door frame.

By way of example, certain mechanical changes disclosed herein may bemade to a heat exchanger door configuration, without changing theoverall height and width of the door, which advantageously allow for anincrease in the heat exchanger core size. Significantly, an increase inthe heat exchanger core width by, for example, 52 mm increases thesurface area of the heat exchanger, and allows for a significantdecrease in fin density while maintaining the same heat removal. Due tothe wider core, the average air velocity entering the heat exchangerdoor also decreases, since there is a larger frontal area for the samevolumetric flow rate to, for example, 88% (wherein pressure drop istypically proportional to velocity squared), and the fin density is muchlower, creating much less restriction to the airflow. Coupling theseeffects allows the air-side pressure drop to be decreased by, forexample, 45%, which is a dramatic reduction, achieved without changingthe overall height and width of the heat exchanger door.

As noted, disclosed herein are numerous structural modifications andenhancements to a heat exchanger door, which are presented with the goalof maximizing the amount of heat which can be removed from the airstreampassing through the electronics rack, while minimizing pressure dropacross the heat exchanger door. Also, the heat exchanger door disclosedherein may be employed at either the air inlet side or the air outletside of the electronics rack, or both, with the discussion presentedbelow assuming that the heat exchanger door is mounted to the air outletside of an electronics rack, again by way of example only.

Note that the air-to-coolant heat exchanger disclosed herein isadvantageously designed to function without added air-moving deviceswithin the electronics rack or within the heat exchanger door.Therefore, air impedance of the heat exchanger door is designed to be aslow as possible. This is achieved by controlling various designvariables discussed herein, including, for example, the number ofcoolant tubes, and size of coolant tubes employed in the tube sectionsof the heat exchanger, and the number, configuration, thickness, anddepth in the airflow direction of the fins used in the air-to-coolantheat exchanger. Additionally, the air-to-coolant heat exchanger may bedesigned to operate (in one embodiment) using, for example,above-dew-point coolant, thus eliminating any chance for condensation tooccur, and the need for condensation monitoring and draining devices.The materials and wall thicknesses may be chosen to accommodate the airimpedance design. Strict brazing processing definition and control maybe employed, along with multiple test points in the build process, forrobust, controlled component fabrication. In combination, theseconsiderations contribute to ensure a leak-proof, highly reliableproduct which meets the design objectives.

Ease of installation may be designed into the air-to-coolant heatexchanger and heat exchanger door disclosed herein through the use of aminimal number of parts, and the use of quick connect couplings. Forexample, after hingedly mounting the heat exchanger door to theelectronics rack, supply and return hoses may be coupled to quickconnect couplings. Start-up may be completed by initializing the supplycoolant, and attaching a bleed tool to an upper bleed valve, that is,until all air is removed from the piping. For purposes of handling andattaching the heat exchanger door, components are designed for reducedweight where possible. For example, a hybrid aluminum door frame can beemployed, with steel support plates where needed for structuralintegrity, to create and provide a door with a high strength-to-weightratio. In one embodiment, the heat exchange tube section of theair-to-coolant heat exchanger can comprise small diameter tubes, withminimal diameter manifolds being used, in combination with, for example,lightweight fins (such as aluminum fins), for the heat exchange tubesections to provide the highest possible heat removal area, with thelowest possible weight. Safety considerations may also be taken intoaccount throughout the design. For ease of handling, lifting handles maybe provided on, for example, the inner side of the heat exchanger door.Further, to protect fins from damage and to protect the operator orbystander from contacting sharp fins, protective perforated plates maybe installed across the inner side and/or outer side of the heatexchanger door.

Generally stated, disclosed herein is an air-cooling apparatus whichincludes a heat exchanger door configured to hingedly mount to one of anair inlet side or an air outlet side of an electronics rack, wherein airmoves through the electronics rack from the air inlet side to the airoutlet side thereof. The heat exchanger door includes a door frame sizedand configured to span at least a portion of the air inlet side or theair outlet side of the electronics rack, and an air-to-coolant heatexchanger supported by the door frame. The door frame includes anairflow opening which facilitates the ingress or egress of airflowthrough the electronics rack with the heat exchanger door mountedthereto, and the air-to-coolant heat exchanger is configured anddisposed so that airflow through the airflow opening passes across theair-to-coolant heat exchanger. The air-to-coolant heat exchanger isconfigured to extract heat from airflow passing thereacross.

Numerous enhancements to the air-cooling apparatus, including the heatexchanger door, are disclosed herein, including: providing manifoldcoupled, quick connect couplings within the heat exchanger door at aright angle to vertically-extending coolant inlet and outlet manifolds;providing a door latch mechanism and catch bracket which allows the doorlatch mechanism to reside entirely within the heat exchanger door;providing an inwardly curved or inwardly angled latch edge on the heatexchanger door, such that the diagonal of the heat exchanger door fromthe hinge axis to the latch edge is pulled in somewhat; forming thestructural door at least partially around the heat exchanger core itselfby providing, for example, a beam box or tubular door support structureintegrated with a casing of the heat exchanger core such that heatexchanger core bends or turns reside within the tubular door supportstructure; hinging the heat exchanger door at the outer side of the heatexchanger door, away from the electronics rack to which the heatexchanger door is mounted using, for example, upper and lower hingebrackets, with respective hinge pins extending into the heat exchangerdoor; designing the heat exchanger door to be symmetrical so that thedoor can be flipped upside down using the same door latch mechanismposition and hinge pins, for example, to allow for coupling of the doorto overhead coolant supply and return headers; the use of counter-flowcircuits to maximize heat removal from the heat exchanger core, alongwith numerous heat exchanger core design optimizations and a process formaximizing heat exchanger core design. These and other aspects of theair-cooling apparatus and heat exchanger door described herein,collectively contribute to enlarging the size of the heat exchanger corewithout changing the overall height or width of the heat exchanger door,and thus to meeting the above-stated goals of maximizing the amount ofheat which can be removed from the airstream, while minimizing theair-side pressure drop across the heat exchanger door.

FIGS. 5A & 5B depict one embodiment of an assembly comprising a heatexchanger door 510 hingedly mounted at a vertically-extending hinge edge511 of the heat exchanger door to an electronics rack 500 at, forexample, an air outlet side of the electronics rack. Heat exchanger door510 includes an enlarged air-to-coolant heat exchanger 520 (FIG. 5B)having a larger height and width compared with the air-to-coolant heatexchanger of the outlet door described above in connection with theembodiment of FIG. 4. This is achieved without changing the overallheight or width of the door itself, but rather, by reconfiguring thestructure of the door and components within the door to accommodate asignificantly larger air-to-coolant heat exchanger 520 core footprint.In the embodiment depicted, heat exchanger door 510 includes, inaddition to hinge edge 511, a vertically-extending latch edge 512disposed opposite to hinge edge 511, and an inner side 513 and an outerside 514, which are opposite main sides of the heat exchanger door. Inthe embodiment depicted, inner side 513 is disposed closer to the airoutlet side or air inlet side of electronics rack 500 with heatexchanger door 510 latched to the electronics rack, as illustrated inFIG. 5A. Heat exchanger door 510 mounts, in one embodiment, via top andbottom hinge brackets 530 and hinge pins 531 located at or adjacent tohinge edge 511 of heat exchanger door 510. As illustrated, hinge pins531 may be positioned close to outer side 514 of heat exchanger door sothat the hinge axis 515 is out from the electronics rack to, at least inpart, minimize or even eliminate the outward swing of the heat exchangerdoor past electronics rack sides 501, 502, as heat exchanger door 510 isrotated between open and closed positions. As described further below, adoor latch mechanism 540 is disposed (in one embodiment) adjacent tolatch edge 512 and is configured to facilitate latching of heatexchanger door 510 to electronics rack 500 when in the closed position(illustrated in FIG. 5A). As noted, perforated screens may be providedat inner side 513 and/or outer side 514 of heat exchanger door 510, ifdesired.

FIG. 6 illustrates an inner side, isometric view of a partiallyassembled heat exchanger door 510, which is shown to includevertically-oriented, coolant inlet and outlet manifolds 600, 610disposed adjacent to latch edge 512 of the heat exchanger door. Inaddition, right angle adapters are installed at the ends of themanifolds, with quick connect couplings 601, 611 that facilitate readyattachment of supply and return hoses (not shown) within the bottom ofthe heat exchanger door to the connects. By way of example, industrystandard, hydraulic quick connect couplings may be employed, such as a¾″ quick connect female coupling and a ¾″ quick connect male coupling,such as Series-60 general purpose couplings, offered by Parker HannifinCorporation, of Minneapolis, Minn., USA. The supply and return hoses canpass through bottom openings (not shown) adjacent to the hinge edge 511of the heat exchanger door, which are configured to accommodate therespective coolant hoses. In one embodiment, the coolant supply andreturn hoses would connect to coolant supply and return manifoldsdisposed below a raised floor of the data center, such as describedabove in connection with FIG. 3.

The heat exchanger core 520 includes a plurality of heat exchange tubesections which couple in fluid communication to coolant inlet manifold600 and coolant outlet manifold 610. Each heat exchange tube section mayincludes at least one of a continuous tube or multiple tubes connectedtogether to form, for example, a continuous serpentine cooling channel.In the embodiment shown, each heat exchange tube section may be acontinuous tube having a first diameter, and each coolant manifold 600,610 may be a tube having a second diameter, wherein the second diameteris greater than the first diameter. The first and second diameters arechosen to ensure adequate supply of coolant flow through the multipleheat exchange tube sections. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the thermallyconductive fins attached to the tubes are not illustrated. By way ofexample, in one embodiment, the plurality of tubes (or tube sections)may extend principally horizontally, and the plurality of thermallyconductive fins (not shown) may extend principally vertically.

One or more small air bleed lines and valves 620 may be located at thetop of the manifolds. Air bleed tools can be used to capture any exitingcoolant during start-up. Another small drain line and valve 621 may belocated at a lowest point of the manifold system to facilitate drainingthe heat exchanger door, if necessary. By way of example, the air bleedvalves at the ends of the air bleed lines could comprise Schradervalves, such as those offered by JIB Industries, of Aurora, Ill., USA.

Advantageously, by making a right angle turn from the manifolds, beforecoupling to the supply and return hoses, horizontally attaching thehoses within the heat exchanger door along the bottom of the heatexchanger door is achieved, which allows the height of the heatexchanger core to come closer to the height of the heat exchanger dooritself. This one change may advantageously allow the unusable height ofthe door for the heat exchanger core to decrease by 50% from, forexample, the configuration depicted in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7A is a partial cross-sectional plan view of heat exchanger door510, and a portion of electronics rack 500, with the heat exchanger door510 shown in a latched position, secured by door latch mechanism 540contacting a catch bracket 700. As illustrated, catch bracket 700 ismounted to the electronics rack and sized to extend from the electronicsrack into heat exchanger door 510 through a catch opening (not shown) atthe inner side 513 of heat exchanger door 510. Note that, in thisembodiment, door latch mechanism 540 advantageously resides entirelywithin the heat exchanger door 510, and that latching to catch bracket700 occurs within the heat exchanger door itself by the door latchmechanism physically engaging the catch bracket within the door, therebyensuring latching of the door to the electronics rack. This iscontrasted with a conventional rack door latch, which typically extendsfrom the door into the electronics rack in order to engage an elementwithin the electronics rack.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7B & 7C, door latch mechanism 540 includes alatch lever or arm 710, which as noted resides entirely within heatexchanger door 510. This pivoting latch lever 710 physically engagescatch bracket 700 within the heat exchanger door to hold the heatexchanger door in the latched position illustrated in FIGS. 7A & 7B.FIG. 7C illustrates the heat exchanger door closed, but unlatched,whereby an operator has manually actuated a release 720 to release latchlever 710 from physical engagement with catch bracket 700.

Note that in the embodiment of FIGS. 7A-7C, door latch mechanism 540comprises a base structure 730 mounted to the door frame at or nearouter side 514 of the door, for example, so as to reside within asymmetrical recess 740 (FIG. 7A) at latch edge 512 of the heat exchangerdoor. Latching of heat exchanger door can be accomplished by closing theheat exchanger door against the electronics rack, and actuating by anoperator latch lever 710 to move a latch surface 711 of latch lever 710into physical engagement with a catch surface 712 of catch bracket 700.As noted, this occurs within the heat exchanger door 510.

Note with reference to FIGS. 7A & 7B, that a U-shaped bracket 750 may beemployed in mounting base structure 730 of door latch mechanism 540 to awall of the door frame. In one embodiment, U-shaped bracket 750 may besecured in bracket-receiving channels via an appropriately-sized bolt751.

FIGS. 8A & 8B depict front and back isometric views of one embodiment ofa door latch mechanism, such as described above in connection with FIGS.7A-7C. In one implementation, door latch mechanism 540 may comprise alever-type latch, such as offered by Southco, of Concordville, Pa., USA.

FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric view of catch bracket 700 depicted inFIGS. 7A-7C. In one embodiment, catch bracket 700 is fabricated of aone-piece construction, for example, from a rigid material, such as ametal plate. Catch bracket 700 has a length “l” sufficient for catchsurface 712 to reside within the heat exchanger door and be positionedfor the pivoting latch lever 710, and in particular, latch surface 711thereof, to engage the catch surface 712 when the latch lever is in thelatched position (illustrated, by way of example, in FIGS. 7A & 7B).Catch bracket 700 has a rack-mount portion 900 with, for example,attachment openings 910 which allow for bolting of the rack-mountportion 900, and thus the catch bracket 700, to a corresponding plate(or flange) within the electronics rack, such as illustrated in FIG. 7A.Depending on the orientation of this plate, the angling of therack-mount portion 900 may change. Note that, in one embodiment, catchsurface 712 is oriented substantially parallel to the inner side 513 ofheat exchanger door 510, and is thus substantially parallel to the airinlet side and air outlet side of the electronics rack when the heatexchanger door is in latched position.

Advantageously, by providing a catch bracket which extends into the heatexchanger door, and by configuring, sizing and placing the door latchmechanism entirely within the heat exchanger door, the latch mechanismcan move towards the latch edge of the heat exchanger door, therebyachieving a goal of expanding the heat exchanger core width. Note thatthis additional space is achieved by the placement of the door latchmechanism within the door frame and, for example, by configuring theattachment bracket as a U-shaped bracket to closely wrap around the basestructure of the door latch mechanism. Also, note that the door latchmechanism disclosed herein is decoupled from the rack flange width. Thisis significant for both maximizing core width, and adding designflexibility for multiple electronics rack configurations. In theembodiment depicted in FIGS. 7A-7C, the door latch mechanism is not agate to the heat exchanger core width. In one embodiment, this enables agreater core width, and with an even skinnier latch configuration, wouldallow for further expansion of the heat exchanger core width. Inparticular, the door latch mechanism configuration and placementdisclosed herein means that the latch itself does not have to cross theplane of the electronics rack, which has certain key advantages, and inparticular: the heat exchanger core width can be insensitive to theelectronics rack design, by just defining different door catch brackets;and the heat exchanger core width can be maximized, since it is notlimited by the electronics rack geometry.

As a further advantage, by providing the catch bracket to extend intothe heat exchanger door, and by configuring, sizing and placing the doorlatch mechanism entirely within the heat exchanger door, the latchmechanism is isolated from any wiring or cabling within the electronicsrack that might otherwise be inadvertently engaged by the latchmechanism, and does not constrain cabling space within the electronicsrack.

Referring to FIG. 10, as noted above, in another aspect, the hinge axis515 of heat exchanger door 510 is disposed (in one embodiment) at anouter corner of the heat exchanger door, at the door corner betweenhinge edge 511 and outer side 514. Hinge brackets 530 (FIG. 5A) may bemounted above and below the electronics rack 500 to facilitate thishinge axis location. This allows for the heat exchanger door to beopened adjacent to, for example, another assembly comprising anelectronics rack with a similar heat exchanger door or, for example, forthe door to be opened adjacent to a wall of the data center.Advantageously, by moving the door latch mechanism 540 to resideentirely within the heat exchanger door as described herein, additionalspace is freed at the diagonally-opposite corner of the heat exchangerdoor 510, that is, at the corner defined by latch edge 512 and the innerside 513 of the heat exchanger door. This allows for the latch edge 512to either curve inward or angle inward from, for example, outer side 514towards inner side 513, as illustrated (by way of example) in thecross-sectional plan view of FIG. 10. This advantageously results in apulling in of the diagonal distance along diagonal line 1000 to that ofdiagonal line 1001, to gain core width from the refrigerator hingepoint.

As a further design advantage, the heat exchanger door described hereinwith reference to FIGS. 5A-10 may be configured so that the door can beinstalled upside down to, for example, move the hinge edge from one sideof the electronics rack to the other side. This ability to flip the heatexchanger door upside down is achieved using the same door latchmechanism in the same vertical location in the heat exchanger rack. Ifflipped upside down, the air bleed and drain bleed lines would reversefunction, with extra care being taken to bleed air from the heatexchanger core in the upside down version. Note that an extra set ofhinge plates might be needed in order to flip the heat exchanger doorupside down in order to mount the door to a different side of theelectronics rack. Mounting the heat exchanger door upside down asdescribed herein would advantageously place the quick connects for thecoolant inlet and outlet manifolds at the top of the heat exchangerdoor, and thus facilitate coupling of the heat exchanger door tooverhead coolant supply and return manifolds, depending upon theconfiguration of the data center.

As another enhancement, disclosed herein is an enhanced structuralconfiguration of a heat exchanger door comprising a door assembly sizedand configured to span at least a portion of the air inlet side or theair outlet side of the electronics rack. The door assembly includes anairflow opening which facilitates the ingress or egress of airflowthrough the electronics rack with the heat exchanger door coupledthereto. Further, the door assembly includes an air-to-coolant heatexchanger and a structural support. The air-to-coolant heat exchanger isdisposed so that airflow through the airflow opening passes across theair-to-coolant heat exchanger, and is configured to extract heat fromthe airflow passing thereacross. The heat exchanger includes a heatexchanger core and a heat exchanger casing coupled to the heat exchangercore. The heat exchanger core includes at least one coolant-carryingchannel which loops through the heat exchanger casing at one side oredge of the heat exchanger core. The structural support is attached tothe heat exchanger casing, and together the structural support and theheat exchanger casing define a tubular door support beam or structure,wherein the at least one coolant-carrying channel loops through the heatexchanger casing within the tubular door support beam.

Advantageously, the above-described integrating or forming of thetubular door support beam or structure about the heat exchanger casingcompacts the door frame, and thus allows a further increase in the heatexchanger core width for a given overall heat exchanger door size. Inone embodiment, the heat exchanger casing defines, at least partially,one or more sides of the tubular door support beam, and results in astiff, strong, lightweight support structure, which, in one embodiment,is provided in an almost direct path with a hinge axis of the heatexchanger door. In such an embodiment, the hinge loading isadvantageously transitioned into the heat exchanger with which thetubular door support beam is integrated, and not through a separate doorframe surrounding the heat exchanger.

Referring collectively to FIGS. 11A-11C, one embodiment of a heatexchanger door 510 is depicted which comprises a door assembly 1100.Door assembly 1100 includes an outer door shell (or wrap) 1105 with anairflow opening 1101 configured to facilitate the ingress or egress ofairflow through an electronics rack with the heat exchanger door coupledthereto. In one embodiment, door shell 1105 may comprise a single-piece,outer wrap or shell, which provides additional structure to the heatexchanger door, without consuming any significant core width, and addsminimal weight to the heat exchanger door.

As illustrated, the door assembly includes air-to-coolant heat exchanger520, such as described above in connection with FIGS. 5A-10. In oneembodiment, air-to-coolant heat exchanger 520 includes one or morecoolant-carrying channels defined by one or more tubes in one or moretube sections. In one implementation, the one or more tubes transverseone or more times across the width of the heat exchanger core and back,after making a 180° turn or loop. Also as noted above, each heatexchange tube section may be a continuous tube having a first diameter,and that couples to the coolant inlet and outlet manifolds 600, 610,each of which may be a tube having a second diameter, wherein the seconddiameter is greater than the first diameter. As noted above, the firstand second diameters are chosen to ensure adequate supply of coolantflow through the multiple heat exchange tube sections. The tube sectionshave a plurality of thermally conductive fins 1111 coupled thereto (onlyone of which is illustrated), which together define a heat exchangercore 1110 of the air-to-coolant heat exchanger 520. As illustrated inFIGS. 11A-11C, heat exchanger core 1110 is surrounded, in one example,by a heat exchanger casing 1120. In one embodiment, heat exchangercasing 1120 provides structural support for heat exchanger core 1110.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a structuralsupport (or channel plate) 1130 is attached to heat exchanger casing1120, for example, along a vertically-extending edge of the heatexchanger core. Optionally, an upper hinge support bracket 1135 and alower hinge support bracket 1136 may also be employed to provideadditional structural rigidity to the tubular door support beam definedby structural support 1130 attached to heat exchanger casing 1120.Multiple fasteners, such as bolts, screws, rivets, etc., may be employedin securely, rigidly attaching structural support 1130, upper and lowerhinge support brackets 1135, 1136, and heat exchanger casing 1120together, and thus define the tubular door support beam such asdisclosed herein. In the embodiment illustrated, the heat exchanger dooralso comprises a perforated inner screen 1140 and a perforated outerscreen 1141, which can be employed (for example) to prevent an operatorfrom physically contacting any sharp edges within the door assembly1100, and to protect the heat exchanger fins from damage.

FIGS. 11B & 11C depict enlarged views of the upper and lower portions ofthe partially exploded door assembly 1100 of FIG. 11A. In the embodimentillustrated, heat exchanger casing 1120 wraps around heat exchanger core1110, and includes opposite, vertically-extending casing portions 1121,1122, and opposite, horizontally-extending casing portions 1123, 1124.The tubular support beam disclosed herein is formed, in one embodiment,around vertically-extending casing portion 1121, disposed opposite tovertically-extending heat exchanger casing 1122, adjacent to which (inone embodiment) the coolant inlet and outlet manifolds 600, 610 aredisposed (see FIGS. 6 & 10). Heat exchanger casing portion 1121comprises, by way of example, a first plate 1125 with flanges 1126extending therefrom. Similarly, structural support 1130 comprises, inone embodiment, a second plate 1131 with flanges 1132 extendingtherefrom. As shown, second plate 1131 with flanges 1132 is sized andconfigured to physically contact first plate 1125 with flanges 1126.When assembled and attached as depicted, a tubular door support beam orstructure is defined, which in one embodiment, is an elongate, tubularbeam integrated with the heat exchanger and oriented substantiallyvertically within the door assembly. This resultant tubular door supportbeam is, in one embodiment, rectangular-shaped in transversecross-section.

By way of specific example, heat exchanger casing 1120 and supportstructure 1130 may each be fabricated of aluminum, in which case, upperhinge support bracket 1135 and lower hinge support bracket 1136, may befabricated of a more structurally rigid material, such as steel. Notethat in an alternate embodiment, support structure 1130 may befabricated, for example, of steel, in which case, upper and lower hingesupport brackets 1135, 1136 could be omitted from the door assembly,that is, with a configuring of the top and bottom edges of the supportstructure 1130 to accommodate, for example, the above-discussed hingepins disposed at the hinge axis. Note also that a plurality of fastenersmay be advantageously employed to distribute the load from the hingeaxis due, for example, to opening or closing of the heat exchanger door.In addition, note that in this embodiment, the hinge axis substantiallyaligns with or is within the tubular door support beam defined bysupport structure 1130 and heat exchanger casing 1120, or moreparticularly, vertically-extending casing portion 1121 of heat exchangercasing 1120.

As illustrated herein, the tubular door support beam is advantageouslyformed around multiple coolant-carrying channel or tube bends, whichcomprise loops through heat exchanger casing 1120 atvertically-extending casing portion 1121. Advantageously, by disposingthese coolant-carrying channel or tube bends within the tubular doorsupport structure defined by structural support 1130 and heat exchangercasing 1120, further compacting of the door structure is achieved. Thisintegrated structure is depicted in further detail in FIGS. 12A-13.

Referring to FIGS. 12A & 12B, heat exchanger door 510 is depictedhingedly mounted along hinge axis 515 to electronics rack 500. Asillustrated, and as described above, hinge axis 515 is disposed at oradjacent to a hinge edge 511, which in one embodiment, comprises avertically-extending edge or region of heat exchanger door 510 disposedopposite to vertically-extending latch edge 512. As illustrated in FIG.12B, coolant inlet manifold 600 and coolant outlet manifold 610 aredisposed at one side of the air-to-coolant heat exchanger 520, and thetubular door support beam 1200 is disposed at the opposite side of theair-to-coolant heat exchanger 520. As described above, tubular doorsupport beam 1200 is integrated with the air-to-coolant heat exchangerby configuring and attaching structural support 1130 to, for example, avertically-extending casing portion of heat exchanger casing 1120. Notethat, as illustrated in FIG. 12B, hinge axis 515 of the heat exchangerdoor 510 advantageously resides within or is aligned over the tubulardoor support beam 1200 so that any load resulting from hinged opening orclosing of the heat exchanger door is distributed by the tubular doorsupport beam to the air-to-coolant heat exchanger 520, with which thebeam is integrated.

FIG. 13 depicts the integration of tubular door support beam 1200 withair-to-coolant heat exchanger 520 in greater detail. As illustrated,multiple fasteners, such as rivets 1300, may be employed to couplesupport structure 1130 to the heat exchanger casing 1120 at, forexample, the vertically-extending casing portion along the side of theair-to-coolant heat exchanger. Multiple coolant-carrying channels (ortubes) of the heat exchanger core are shown to loop 1310 through heatexchanger casing 1120 and reside within the tubular door support beam orstructure 1200 defined by the structural support 1130 and heat exchangercasing 1120. Also, illustrated in FIG. 13 is lower hinge support bracket1136, which may be employed, in one embodiment, where the supportstructure 1130 is fabricated of a lighter weight material, such asaluminum.

Advantageously, integration of a tubular door support beam with theair-to-coolant heat exchanger, and in particular, with the heatexchanger casing, allows for a reduction in the non-usable width of theheat exchanger door for the core, and thus allows for the heat exchangercore to be expanded. In essence, the heat exchanger itself becomes atleast partially the structure of the door, with any hinge loading goingdirectly to the heat exchanger, and not through, for example, astructural door frame encircling the heat exchanger. An outer shell (orwrap) may be provided to add some additional structural support, withoutconsuming any significant core width, and adding minimal weight. Theabove-described integration of the tubular door support beam with theheat exchanger advantageously allows for the heat exchanger door to beshipped mounted to the electronics rack, which requires a robustconstruction. This is achieved, as explained above, without consumingthe critical width of the heat exchanger core.

By integrating the tubular beam with the heat exchanger core such thatthe loops or bends of the tubes at least partially reside within thetubular beam, a more compact structure is obtained. The entireconstruction may be secured together via, for example, riveting,resulting in a strong and stiff construction, low cost, lightweight heatexchanger door and tubular beam. Upper and lower hinge support bracketsmay optionally be provided to distribute any load, for example, fromshock or vibration, to the tubular beam. The resultant structure is veryspace efficient, and allows a maximization of heat exchanger core width.In one embodiment, by integrating the tubular beam with the heatexchanger core as described herein, approximately 10-25 mm of additionalheat exchanger core width can be obtained.

In accordance with further aspects of the present invention, and asdescribed above, the air-to-coolant heat exchanger disclosed hereinincludes one or more coolant-carrying channels, such as channels definedby one or more tubes arranged in one or more tube sections. In oneembodiment, each heat exchange tube section may comprise a continuoustube having a first diameter which couples to the coolant inlet andoutlet manifolds. The inlet and outlet manifolds may each be a tubehaving a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is greater thanthe first diameter. The first and second diameters are chosen to ensureadequate supply of coolant flow through the multiple heat exchange tubesections. In another embodiment, the cross-sectional area in thedirection of the coolant flow path may vary and be tailored to ensurethat coolant uniformly flows through the plurality of coolant channels(also referred to herein as a plurality of coolant circuits).

The coolant inlet and outlet manifolds may be manufactured from anydesired material or combination of materials. Factors such as materialproperties, cost, manufacturing considerations, and othercharacteristics may be taken into consideration when determining thematerial or materials of the coolant inlet and outlet manifolds. In oneembodiment, the coolant inlet and outlet manifolds may be copper tubes.

As discussed above, the coolant channels may have one or more finscoupled thereto, which together define the heat exchanger core of theair-to-coolant heat exchanger. These fins act to increase heat transferto the coolant in the channels by increasing the surface area of theheat exchanger core in contact with the airflow thereacross, and arecoupled to, or otherwise in contact with, the one or more coolantchannels so that heat is transferred from the airflow to the coolant.The fins may take various forms or shapes, such as a helical fin or aplate fin. For example, the fins may be any plate fin, such as a flatplate fin, a sine wave fin, a corrugated fin, a louvered fin, etc., orcombinations thereof. Depending on the implementation, the finstockthickness between heat exchangers may vary. For example, the finstockthickness may be within a range of about 0.0035 to 0.0095 inches thick.

Similar to the manifolds, the fins may be manufactured from variousmaterials or combination of materials by various methods. Factors suchas material properties, cost, manufacturing concerns and othercharacteristics may be taken into consideration when determining the finmaterial or materials.

In one embodiment, the heat exchanger core may include a plurality offins spaced substantially across the width of the heat exchanger core.In such an embodiment, the plurality of fins may be spaced from oneanother with a regular fin pitch or density, and configured so that airreadily passes between adjacent fins. By way of example, the fin pitchmay be between about 5 fins per inch to about 20 fins per inch.

The size, shape, orientation, pitch (e.g., fins/inch), materialproperties, surface finish and/or texture and other aspects of finconstruction may contribute to heat removal capability and to airpressure drop across the air-to-coolant heat exchanger. These finattributes may be selected in combination with other aspects of the heatexchanger core, such that the air pressure drop and heat removal of theair-to-coolant heat exchanger are both optimized, that is, for one ormore boundary conditions. Note that as used herein, “optimized” heatexchanger metrics refers to a best or desirable combination of metricsfor a particular application, and may include, for example, a maximumheat removal capability with a minimum air pressure drop across the heatexchanger. The fins may also contribute to other characteristics ormetrics of the air-to-coolant heat exchanger, and/or the heat exchangercore, such as weight, cost, depth and height of the heat exchanger. Assuch, aspects of the fins may also be optimized in consideration of suchother characteristics or metrics. For example, the fins may be optimizedfor one or more boundary conditions, for air pressure drop, heatremoval, weight, depth, cost and/or combinations thereof.

As described above, the heat exchanger core of the air-to-coolant heatexchanger includes a plurality of channels or tubes for the flow ofcoolant therethrough. By way of example, channel inlets may be coupledin fluid communication with the coolant inlet manifold, and channeloutlets may be coupled in fluid communication with the outlet manifold.This allows coolant to flow through the inlet manifold, into theplurality of coolant channels via their corresponding channel inlets,through the plurality of coolant channels, and from the coolant channelsand into the coolant outlet manifold via their corresponding channeloutlets. In certain embodiments, the inlet and outlet of a coolantchannel may be considered to be the openings in the inlet and outletmanifolds, which allow coolant to flow to or from the coolant channels.

The coolant channels themselves may be defined by a variety ofstructures. For example, a coolant channel may be formed from acontinuous structure, or from multiple structures connected together.Further, the structure defining the coolant channel may be made from avariety of materials or combination of materials. Factors such asmaterial properties, cost, manufacturing concerns and othercharacteristics may be taken into consideration when determining amaterial for the coolant channels. In one embodiment, the plurality ofcoolant channels include or are defined by copper tubing.

As another consideration, the cross-sectional area of a coolant channelin the direction of the coolant flow path may be constant or may vary.Further, the shape of a coolant channel (interior and/or exterior) maybe constant or may vary, and may be any desired cross-sectional shape.In some embodiments, each coolant channel of the plurality of coolantchannels has a substantially similar shape and size, and each coolantchannel is defined by substantially similar, but distinct, structures.In other embodiments, two or more coolant channels of the plurality ofcoolant channels may have a substantially dissimilar shape and/or size.In some embodiments, two or more of the coolant channels may beidentically formed. In certain embodiments discussed herein, theplurality of coolant channels are defined by one or more tubestructures, and the cross-sectional area of the coolant channels in thedirection of coolant flow path is substantially constant. In oneembodiment, the tubes defining the coolant channels may be fabricated ofcommercially available tubing.

As described above, the plurality of coolant channels may extendsubstantially across the airflow to be cooled, such as back-and-forthacross the airflow opening of the heat exchanger door. The total numberof tubes (or other shaped structures) of a particular heat exchangercore, may depend upon the size and/or shape of the tubes (i.e., thestructure defining the coolant channels), the available heat exchangercore depth and height, the number of rows of the tubes in the directionof the airflow, the tube spacing in the vertical and horizontaldirections, the arrangement of the tubes, the positioning and/ororientation of the tubes, and the like. In certain heat exchanger coreembodiments, the portions of the plurality of coolant channels extendingacross the airflow (and/or an airflow opening) are substantiallyarranged in horizontal rows in the direction of airflow. For example,the portions of the channels extending across the airflow may besubstantially arranged in two, three, or four (or more) rows, such asillustrated in FIGS. 14-16 and discussed below. In certain embodiments,the vertical spacing between the portions of the channels extendingacross the airflow may be greater than the spacing in the direction ofthe airflow (i.e., the spacing between rows).

In embodiments wherein the plurality of coolant channels are defined bysubstantially identical tubes, and the tubes extend substantiallyhorizontally across the airflow (or airflow opening), the diameter ofthe tubes, the spacing in the vertical and horizontal (or airflow)directions, the heat exchanger core height and the number of rows of thetubes in the direction of the airflow together effect the total numberof tubes in a particular heat exchanger core design. Note that in otherembodiments, the structure defining the plurality of coolant channelsneed not extend substantially horizontally across the airflow opening.Similarly, in certain embodiments, the portions of the channelsextending substantially across the airflow need not be aligned and,thus, need not extend parallel to each other.

As discussed above with respect to the fins, the parameters, aspects orcharacteristics of the coolant channels may affect the performancemetrics of the heat exchanger. For example, the size and shape of thestructure (or structures) defining the coolant channels, the number ofrows of cooling channels, the channel or tube spacing in the verticaland the airflow directions, the total number of coolant channelsextending across the airflow, the number of coolant channels or circuits(e.g., the number of discrete pathways of coolant from the inletmanifold to the outlet manifold) may affect the heat removal of the heatexchanger, the air side pressure drop, the water side pressure drop, thecore weight, the core depth and/or the cost of the heat exchanger. As aresult, in certain embodiments, at least one variable parameter of thecoolant channels, such as one of the parameters listed above, may bechosen to optimize one or more performance metrics of the heat exchangercore in which the plurality of coolant channels are installed forparticular boundary conditions. For example, in a heat exchangerembodiment where tubes define the plurality of coolant channels, acombination of two or more of tube diameter, the number of rows of thetubes in the airflow direction, tube spacing in the vertical and/orhorizontal directions, core height, number of coolant channels orcoolant circuits and non-variable parameters of the heat exchanger mayaffect optimization of the air pressure drop, heat removal, weight,depth and cost of the heat exchanger for particular boundary conditions.

As noted, the number of coolant channels may vary (i.e., may be avariable parameter of the heat exchanger), and may affect one or moreperformance metrics of the heat exchanger in which the coolant channelsare installed. For example, the number of coolant channels (i.e., thenumber of discrete flow paths for the coolant) may affect the heatremoval, water side pressure drop, core weight, coolant flowdistribution, cost, etc.

FIGS. 14-16 illustrate several coolant channel configurations forconsideration of certain of the parameters described above. By way ofexample, FIG. 14 is a side illustration of a portion of a plurality ofcooling channels (or circuits) 1400 with an airflow 1401 passing acrossthe plurality of cooling channels 1400 traveling (by way of exampleonly) substantially left-to-right (as indicated by the arrow). As shown,the plurality of cooling channels 1400 are defined by tubes that extend(in one embodiment) substantially linearly horizontally, and thereforeparallel to one another, across airflow 1401. The linear tubes orportions that extend across airflow 1401 are arranged (in this example)in two rows in the direction of the airflow 1401, and are illustrated inFIG. 14 as circles 1410 (i.e., as tubes extending along a directionextending into, or out of, the page). Note that as used herein, “row” isused to refer, for example, to a two-row heat exchanger, three-row heatexchanger, four-row heat exchanger, etc., when viewed in top plan view.In side elevational view, a “row” as used herein appears as a column ofcoolant-carrying channels or tubes (such as depicted in FIGS. 14-16).Note also, the heat exchanger examples presented herein are configuredin a counter-flow arrangement with, for example, airflow 1401 movingleft-to-right across the heat exchanger and coolant moving through thecooling channels (or circuits), generally from right-to-left within theheat exchanger between a channel inlet and a channel outlet. that is,for many of the cooling channels within the heat exchanger. Thiscounter-flow arrangement is also illustrated in FIGS. 14-16, anddiscussed further below.

Each of the plurality of cooling channels 1400 of FIG. 14 extends froman inlet manifold 1402 that supplies coolant to the cooling channels1400, to an outlet manifold 1404 that provides an outlet for the coolantafter flowing through the cooling channels 1400. The flow path of thecoolant is indicated in the inlet and outlet manifolds 1402, 1404 byarrows. Each of the cooling channels 1400 includes a channel inlet 1406and a channel outlet 1408. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlets1406 may extend from the inlet manifold 1402 to a first tube portion1410A (solid circle) that extends across the airflow 1401. The firsttube portion 1410A is a first tube portion of each of the coolingchannels 1400 in the direction of the coolant flow path. Similarly, theoutlets 1408 may extend from the outlet manifold 1404 to the last tubeportion 1410B (solid circle) that extends across the airflow 1401. Thislast tube portion 1410B is the last channel portion of each of thecooling channels 1400 in the direction of coolant flow.

After first tube portion 1410A of each of cooling channel 1400 extendsacross the airflow 1401, the cooling channel loops, bends or otherwisechanges direction such that the channel extends back across the airflow1401 for a second pass (outlined circle) across the airflow 1401, asshown. The loop or bend 1412 that acts to redirect the channel backacross the airflow 1401 on the opposing side of the heat exchanger, isrepresented or indicated by a single straight line in FIG. 14. Once backon the “inlet side” of the airflow 1401, the channel (and thereforecoolant carried therein) is again redirected such that it extends backfor a third pass (outlined circle) across the airflow 1401. The loop1414 that acts to redirect the channel or tube back across the airflow1401 from the “inlet side” of the airflow 1401 is indicated by a doubleline in FIG. 14. In such a manner, the cooling channels 1400, and thecoolant carried therein, zigzag, crisscross, or otherwise travel backand forth across the airflow 1401 (or an airflow opening). Adjacentportions of the cooling channels 1400 in the direction of the coolantflow that extend across the airflow 1401 are thus configured in analternating flow arrangement.

As discussed above, in one embodiment, the coolant channels extend backand forth across the airflow 1401 until last tube portion 1410B (solidcircle) that is coupled to the outlet 1408 and the outlet manifold 1404.Thereby, the flow path of the coolant through the coolant channels 1400and the inlet and outlet manifolds 1402, 1404, can be said to extendfrom a first fixed point 1420 in the inlet manifold 1402, through theinlets 1406 and into the coolant channels 1400, through the portions ofthe cooling channels 1400 extending across the airflow 1401 and theloops 1412, 1414 therebetween, through the outlets 1408 and into theoutlet manifold 1404, and finally through the outlet manifold 1404 to asecond fixed point 1422 in the outlet manifold 1402.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 14, the coolant channels 1400 includediscrete channels that differ from one another. For example, some of thechannels include differing positioning and patterns of tube portions1410 that extend across the airflow 1401. Stated differently, thepattern of the vertical and horizontal spacing between adjacent portions1410 of the channels in the direction of the coolant flow path maydiffer between coolant channels. Still further, the total length of thecoolant channels 1400 may differ from one another.

By way of specific example, the first coolant channel 1400A of theplurality of coolant channels 1400 fed by the inlet manifold 1402 mayinclude four consecutive channel portions 1410 in a first row (includingthe first portion 1410A (solid circle)), followed by ten channelportions 1410 that alternate between the second and first rows, andfinally four consecutive channel portions 1410 in the second row(including the last portion 1410B (solid circle) that is adjacent to theoutlet 1408). The coolant channel 1400A therefore includes sixteenportions 1410 that extend substantially across the airflow 1401(including the first and last portions or tubes 1410A, 1410B). Incontrast, the second coolant channel 1400B fed by the inlet manifold1402 (i.e., in the direction of the coolant flow) includes fourconsecutive channel portions 1410 in a first row (including the firstportion 1410A (solid circle)), followed by four channel portions 1410that alternate between the second and the first rows, and finally fourconsecutive channel portions 1410 in the second row (including the lastportion 1410B (solid circle)) adjacent to the outlet 1408). The secondcoolant channel 1400B therefore includes twelve portions 1410 thatextend substantially across the airflow 1401 (including the first andlast portions 1410A, 1410B). Thus, not only does the pattern of thechannel portions 1410 that extend across the airflow 1401 differ, thenumber of channel portions 1410 extending across the airflow 1401 differbetween the first and second coolant channels 1400A, 1400B.

In particular, the length of the flow path of the coolant from the inlet1406 to the outlet 1408 of the first coolant channel 1400A is longerthan that of the second coolant channel 1400B. Similar to the first andsecond coolant channels 1400A, 1400B, the last coolant channel (orcircuit) 1400Z fed by the coolant inlet manifold 1402 includes adifferent pattern of channel portions 1410 that extend across theairflow 1401, and has (by way of example) two less channel portions 1410than a second to last coolant channel 1400Y fed by the coolant inletmanifold 1402.

Advantageously, by decreasing the length of the coolant channels withprogression up the heat exchanger core, that is, up the manifolds, ormore particularly, where the channels couple to the coolant inlet andoutlet manifolds, a more uniform coolant flow through the heat exchangeris achieved. By way of specific example, first coolant channel 1400Amight comprise 16 passes per circuit, second coolant channel 1400B mightcomprise 14 passes per circuit, as might the second to last coolantchannel 1400Y, and the last coolant channel might comprise 12 passes. Inalternate embodiments, two or more of the first cooling channels (orcircuits) might comprise 16 passes, and two or more of the last coolingchannels might comprise 12 passes. Additionally, note with respect tothe heat exchanger embodiments described herein, that there isadvantageously counter-flow cooling. That is, assuming that airflow 1401passes left-to-right across the heat exchanger, from a first side to asecond side of the heat exchanger, then multiple coolant channels of theplurality of coolant channels are configured to direct coolant from achannel inlet disposed closer to the second side of the heat exchangerto a channel outlet disposed closer to the first side of the heatexchanger, and thereby provide the counter-flow cooling of the airflow.More particularly, the airflow generally moves left-to-right in thisexample, and the coolant generally moves (in addition to upwards)right-to-left. Note that this particular counter-flow arrangement ofFIGS. 14-16 is presented by way of example only. Further, those skilledin the art will note that the embodiments of FIGS. 15 & 16 generallyhave better counter-flow cooling than the embodiment of FIG. 14.

As illustrated by the break between the upper and lower halves of FIG.14, second coolant channel 1400B fed by inlet manifold 1402 and thesecond to last coolant channel 1400Y fed by the inlet manifold 1402, theplurality of coolant channels 1400 may include any number, configurationor length of channels therebetween. For example, the second coolantchannel 1400B may be repeated, which as depicted, is identical to thesecond to last coolant channel 1400Y. As another example, other coolantchannels of differing lengths, arrangements, combinations or patternsmay be positioned between coolant channel 1400B and coolant channel1400Y. In one embodiment, the channels or circuits positioned betweenthe coolant channels 1400B, 1400Y in the direction of the coolant flowpath may be configured such that a majority of the first channelportions 1410A of the plurality of coolant channels 1400 fed by theinlet manifold 1402 are positioned in the same column. For example,most, if not all of the first channel portions 1410A fed by the inletmanifold 1402 may be positioned in the same column.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of a portion of a plurality ofcooling channels 1500 with an airflow 1501 passing thereacross,traveling (by way of example only) substantially left-to-right (asindicated by the arrow). The plurality of cooling channels 1500 aresubstantially similar to the plurality of cooling channels 1400described above with respect to FIG. 14, and therefore like referencenumerals preceded by “15”, as opposed to “14” are used to indicate likeelements. One of the differences between the plurality of coolingchannels 1500 and the plurality of cooling channels 1400 (FIG. 14) isthe number of rows transverse to the direction of the airflow 1501 thatchannel portions 1510 passing across airflow 1501 are arranged. As shownin FIG. 15, the plurality of cooling channels 1500 include three rows oftube portions 1510 extending perpendicular (by way of example only) tothe airflow 1501.

Another difference between the plurality of cooling channels 1500 andthe plurality of cooling channels 1400 (FIG. 14) is the difference inlengths of first coolant channel 1500A and second coolant channel 1500B.As shown in FIG. 15, the first coolant channel 1500A includes two morechannel portions 1510 that extend across the airflow 1501 compared withthe second coolant channel 1500B. Therefore, the length of the coolantflow path from the inlet 1506 to the outlet 1508 of the first coolantchannel 1500A is longer than that of the second coolant channel 1500B.

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of a portion of a plurality ofcooling channels 1600 with an airflow 1601 passing across the pluralityof cooling channels 1600 traveling (by way of example only)substantially left-to-right (as indicated by the arrow). The pluralityof cooling channels 1600 are substantially similar to the plurality ofcooling channels 1400 described above with respect to FIG. 14 and theplurality of cooling channels 1500 described above with respect to FIG.15, and therefore like reference numerals preceded by “16”, as opposedto “15” or “14”, are used to indicate like aspects. One of thedifferences between the plurality of cooling channels 1600 and theplurality of cooling channels 1500 (FIG. 15) or 1400 (FIG. 14) is thenumber of rows transverse to the direction of airflow 1601 that the tubeportions 1610 that pass across the airflow 1601 are arranged. In theembodiment of FIG. 16, the plurality of cooling channels 1600 includefour rows of tube portions 1610 (i.e., when viewed in top plan view).

Another difference between the heat exchanger embodiments of FIGS. 14-16is the length of the first coolant channel 1600A and the second coolantchannel 1600B. As shown in FIG. 16, the first coolant channel 1600Aincludes four additional tube portions 1610 that extend across theairflow 1601 compared with the second coolant channel 1600B. Therefore,the length of the flow path of the coolant from inlet 1606 to outlet1608 of the first coolant channel 1600A is longer than that of thesecond coolant channel 1600B.

As noted above, the heat exchanger door, air-to-coolant heat exchanger,heat exchanger core and the like may be optimized for one or moremetrics, such as one or more performance metrics. Numerous parameters,aspects or characteristics of the heat exchanger door, air-to-coolantheat exchanger and/or heat exchanger core play a role in the metricsthereof (performance or otherwise). Further, these numerous parametersmay affect metrics differently at different operating conditions. Assuch, a method for determining parameters of a heat exchanger thatoptimize particular metrics of the heat exchanger at particularoperating conditions is believed valuable, and is disclosed hereinbelow.

FIG. 17 depicts one such method 1700 for determining parameters of aheat exchanger that optimizes one or more metrics of the heat exchangerfor particular boundary or operating conditions.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, an initial step in the process includesobtaining non-variable parameters 1702 of the heat exchanger. This stepmay include recording, selecting, identifying, inputting or otherwiseestablishing the non-variable parameters of the to-be-optimized heatexchanger. For example, if the heat exchanger is an air-to-coolant heatexchanger, such as described herein, then the non-variable parametersmay be parameters that are fixed, difficult to alter or are otherwiseheld constant. In one embodiment, one or more non-variable parameters ofthe heat exchanger may be one or more of the heat exchanger core width,heat exchanger core height, the material or materials (e.g., materialproperties) of the inlet and/or outlet manifolds of the heat exchanger,the material comprising the structures that define the coolant channelsof the heat exchanger, and the material that defines the fins of theheat exchanger. In certain embodiments, a non-variable parameter maycomprise numerical or other discrete, manipulatable data correspondingto a parameter (such as the numerical material properties of copper(e.g., the density of copper, the thermal coefficient of copper, thecost of copper, etc.)).

Another initial step includes obtaining variable parameters 1704 of theheat exchanger. This obtaining variable parameters 1704 of the“to-be-optimized” heat exchanger may include recording, selecting,identifying, inputting or otherwise establishing one or more variableparameters of the heat exchanger. For example, if the heat exchanger isan air-to-coolant heat exchanger, then the variable parameters may beparameters that are customizable, optional, relatively easy to alter orare otherwise selectively held or believed to be flexible or unfixed. Inone embodiment, the one or more variable parameter of a heat exchangermay comprise one or more of the inlet and/or outlet manifoldcross-sectional dimensions or area (inner and/or outer) in the directionof the coolant flow, the outer and/or inner cross-sectional dimensionsof the coolant channels in the direction of coolant flow, the number ofcolumns of coolant channels in the transverse direction of airflow, thedepth of the heat exchanger in the direction of airflow, the type offinstock, the thickness of the finstock, the fin pitch and the finstocktube definition, etc. In certain embodiments, the finstock tubedefinition is defined, as least in part, by the vertical and horizontal(e.g., airflow) directional spacing of the coolant channels that spanthe airflow (and/or airflow opening). In some embodiments, the finstocktube definition may include the number of distinct channels or circuits,the total number of coolant carrying channels extending across theairflow, or width of the exchanger door, for example, and the number ofcoolant carrying channel portions extending across the airflow. Likewith the non-variable parameters, in certain embodiments, the variableparameters may be defined as numerical or other discrete, manipulatabledata corresponding to the parameter(s).

In one embodiment, data corresponding to the non-variable parameters andthe variable parameters is obtained by a computer, such as computer 1800depicted in FIG. 18. Computer 1800 may include a central processing unit(CPU) 1802, memory 1804, input/output devices or interfaces 1806 and asystem bus 1808 interconnecting the components. In certain embodiments,the optimization method disclosed herein may include utilizing one ormore input/output devices 1806 of the computer 1800 to input thevariable and non-variable parameters, and/or data corresponding thereto.

Another preliminary step in the process includes obtaining boundaryconditions 1706 in which the heat exchanger will need to operate within.By way of example, the boundary conditions may be conditions relating toa system in which the heat exchanger is to be installed. As anotherexample, the boundary conditions may be specified minimum, maximum, orlike conditions the heat exchanger is to encounter in use. The step ofobtaining boundary conditions 1706 may include recording, selecting,identifying, inputting or otherwise establishing boundary conditions forthe to-be-optimized heat exchanger. For example, if the heat exchangeris an air-to-coolant heat exchanger, the boundary conditions may be oneor more of a temperature of the airflow passing across the heatexchanger, the volumetric flow rate of the airflow across the heatexchanger, the temperature of the coolant entering the heat exchanger,the volumetric flow rate of the coolant received by the heat exchangerand/or the heat load of the environment in which the heat exchanger isinstalled, etc. The heat load (including heat loss, or heat gain) may bethe amount of cooling (heat gain) needed to maintain a desiredtemperature.

In certain embodiments, several boundary conditions may be obtained. Forexample, the boundary conditions may represent the likely worst casescenario of conditions for the heat exchanger (i.e., the harshestcondition or conditions), the likely best case scenario of conditionsfor the heat exchanger, the likely typical conditions for the heatexchanger and conditions therebetween. As another example, a series ofboundary conditions may be obtained wherein the individual boundaryconditions differ. As described above with respect to the non-variableand variable parameters, the boundary conditions may be defined asnumerical or other discrete, manipulatable data.

A further step in the process includes defining desired optimized andlimiting performance metrics 1708 of the heat exchanger. The performancemetrics may be measureable characteristics, capabilities, conditions orthe like related to the functioning of the heat exchanger. The desiredoptimized performance metrics may be the performance metrics of the heatexchanger which the non-variable and variable parameters optimize, andthe limiting performance metric may be used to narrow the potentialcombinations of non-variable and variable parameters.

Defining the desired optimized and limiting performance metrics 1708 mayinclude recording, selecting, identifying, inputting or otherwiseestablishing one or more desired optimized and limiting performancemetrics of the heat exchanger. For example, if the heat exchanger is anair-to-coolant heat exchanger, the desired optimized performance metricsand the limiting performance metrics for a particular boundary conditionmay be one or more of heat removal of the heat exchanger, air sidepressure drop of the airflow flowing across the heat exchanger, coolantside pressure drop of coolant passing through the heat exchanger, coreweight of the heat exchanger, or one or more metrics relating to theflow distribution between coolant channels of the heat exchanger. In oneembodiment, the desired optimized (or to-be-optimized) performancemetrics comprise the heat removal of the heat exchanger and the air sidepressure drop of the airflow across the heat exchanger. In such anembodiment, the heat removal rate and air side pressure drop areoptimized by selecting a combination of variable and non-variableparameters for the boundary conditions that lead to a maximum heatremoval with a minimum air side pressure drop. In certain embodiments,the limiting performance metrics may comprise the core (or total) weightof the heat exchanger, the water side pressure drop of the coolantpassing through the heat exchanger or one or more metrics relating tothe flow distribution between coolant channels of the heat exchanger. aswith the above parameters, the desired optimized and limitingperformance metrics may be defined as numerical or other discrete,measurable data.

Once the non-variable parameters, variable parameters and boundaryconditions are obtained, and the optimized and limiting performancemetrics are defined, the performance metrics may be obtained 1710 forpossible heat exchanger configurations for the boundary condition(s)with differing combinations of the variable and non-variable parameters.

The performance metrics for the possible heat exchanger configurationswith differing combinations of the variable and non-variable parametersfor each boundary condition may be obtained, at least in part, throughthe use of a computer, such as computer 1800 of FIG. 18. For example,the processor may be programmed to utilize the different combinations ofthe variable and non-variable parameters and the boundary conditions ofthe possible heat exchangers to derive the performance metrics formultiple (or even each) parameter and boundary condition combination. Asanother example, the performance metrics for the possible heat exchangerconfigurations for each boundary condition may be obtained, at leastpartially, from external the computer (e.g., by another computer, by a3^(rd) party, experimentally, etc.) and provided to the computer and/orfetched by the computer. In some embodiments, the performance metricsfor the possible heat exchanger configurations for the boundaryconditions may be obtained sequentially. For example, in certainembodiments, the performance metrics for the possible heat exchangerconfigurations for a first boundary condition may be determined, thenfor a second boundary condition, and so on. In another example, theperformance metrics for a first possible heat exchanger configurationfor the boundary conditions may be determined, then a second possibleheat exchanger configuration for the conditions, and so on.

Continuing with FIG. 17, in addition to defining 1708 and obtaining 1710the performance metrics for the possible heat exchanger configurationswith differing combinations of the variable and non-variable parametersfor each boundary condition, secondary determinative or instructiveperformance metrics for the possible heat exchanger configurations foreach boundary condition may also be defined and obtained. Similar to theperformance metrics, the secondary performance metrics for the possibleheat exchanger configurations may include the heat removal rate of theheat exchanger, the air side pressure drop of airflow flowing across theheat exchanger, the coolant side pressure drop of coolant passingthrough the heat exchanger, core weight of the heat exchanger and one ormore metrics relating to the flow distribution of the coolant flowbetween coolant channels of the heat exchanger. In certain embodiments,the secondary performance metrics may be defined and obtained in any ofthe ways that the performance metrics are defined and obtained, such asthose discussed above.

Once a performance metric of a possible heat exchanger configuration isobtained, the possible heat exchanger configuration may be filtered oranalyzed 1712 with respect to an acceptable threshold or limit of thelimiting performance metric, as shown in FIG. 17. In one embodimentwhich includes the coolant side pressure drop as a limiting performancemetric, the acceptable threshold or limit of the coolant side pressuredrop may be the pressure drop limit of particular connections, such asquick connections to the inlet and/or outlet manifolds, at a particularcoolant flow rate. This limiting performance metric may be used tofilter unacceptable or unwanted possible heat exchanger configurationsfrom the pool of possible heat exchanger configurations used todetermine the optimized parameters. For example, if the performancemetrics of a heat exchanger configuration are obtained, and are notwithin the acceptable threshold for the limiting performance metric,then the heat exchanger configuration can be eliminated fromconsideration. In this way, the limiting performance metrics and theassociated acceptable thresholds can be used in a filtering step thatstreamlines the method 1700. A computer may be used to perform, at leastin part, the comparing the performance metrics with the correspondingacceptable limits and/or the filtering of the possible heat exchangerconfigurations that include a performance metric outside of theacceptable limit for at least one boundary condition.

Once the desired performance metrics for the possible heat exchangerconfigurations for each boundary condition are obtained, and thepossible heat exchanger configurations are filtered based on thelimiting performance metrics, the step of determining 1714 which of thepossible heat exchanger configurations optimizes the at least twoperformance metrics for the boundary conditions can be performed todetermine at least one combination of the non-variable and variableparameters that optimize the performance metrics for the heat exchanger.

In certain embodiments, several features of the possible heat exchangerconfigurations may be utilized to determine which configurationoptimizes the desired performance metrics for the boundary conditions.For example, the maximization of a first desired performance metric incombination with the minimization of a second desired performance metricmay be preferable. In such embodiments, the combination of non-variableand variable parameters that resulted in the best possible heatexchanger that maximizes the first desired performance metric andminimizes the second desired performance metric for the boundaryconditions may be determined. As noted, in one embodiment, the heatremoval may be desired to be maximized and the air side pressure dropminimized. The particular weight given to each desired optimizedperformance characteristic may vary and depend on a host ofconsiderations.

In certain embodiments, additional performance metrics above thelimiting and desired optimized performance metrics may be utilized orconsidered in determining which heat exchanger parameter configurationbest optimizes the defined performance metrics for the boundaryconditions. For example, the secondary performance metrics discussedabove may be utilized or considered in addition to the limiting anddesired optimized performance metrics. In such embodiments, one or moreof the secondary performance metrics may be the same as one or more ofthe limiting performance metrics. For example, although a particularlimiting performance metric of a possible heat exchanger configurationwas within the corresponding threshold of the limiting performancemetric, and therefore the possible heat exchanger configuration was not“filtered out” of consideration, the limiting performance metric may beused as a secondary performance metric in determining which heatexchanger parameter configuration optimizes the desired performancemetrics for the boundary conditions. Therefore, in such embodiments, theoptimization method may, in essence, be determining which heat exchangerparameter configuration optimizes the desired performance metrics andone or more additional secondary performance metrics for the boundaryconditions.

In certain embodiments, consideration or use of at least one secondaryperformance metric may be considered an additional step, or part of thestep, of determining a heat exchanger parameter configuration (i.e.,combination of variable and non-variable parameters) that optimizes thedesired performance metrics for the boundary conditions. As an example,the combination of non-variable and variable parameters that resulted inthe possible heat exchanger that maximized the heat removal performancemetric, minimized the air pressure drop performance metric and minimizedat least one of weight, or cost of the heat exchanger, or heat exchangercore depth, for the boundary conditions may be determined as thecombination of the non-variable and variable parameters (i.e., heatexchanger parameter configuration) that optimizes the desiredperformance metrics for the boundary conditions of a heat exchanger. Theparticular weight given to each desired performance characteristic andsecondary performance metric may vary and depend on a host ofconsiderations. For example, a first heat exchanger parameterconfiguration achieving 1% more heat removal than a second heatexchanger parameter configuration may not be deemed “optimized” over thesecond heat exchanger parameter configuration if it is considerably moreexpensive, heavy or thicker than the second heat exchanger parameterconfiguration.

In one embodiment, one or more computers (such as the computer 1800 ofFIG. 18) may be used in, at least in part, determining 1714 (FIG. 17)which heat exchanger parameter configuration(s) (i.e., combination ofvariable and non-variable parameters) optimizes the desired performancemetrics for the boundary conditions. For example, the computer mayobtain the performance metrics and the secondary performance metrics forthe different heat exchanger parameter configurations for each boundarycondition and, based thereon, determine the heat exchanger parameterconfiguration that best optimizes the performance metrics, for example,in consideration of any secondary performance metrics, for the boundaryconditions.

By way of further example, shown in FIG. 19, a computer may obtain thepossible heat exchanger parameter configurations and the performancemetrics thereof for one or more boundary conditions, and any otherrequisite or relevant data, and produce one or more visual indications(e.g., graphs) of the relationship of the different combinations of thenon-variable and variable parameters and the at least two performancemetrics of the possible heat exchangers in the boundary condition. Inthe example shown in FIG. 19, a graph displays the performance metrics(e.g., heat removal and air side pressure drop) and the variableparameters (fin type, number of rows of coolant channels in the airflowdirection) differ from the eight designs. The variable parameter findensities are indicated by the four symbols of each line indicating thedifferent parameter configurations, with 10 fins/in being the symbol inthe lower left and 16 fins/in being the symbol in the upper right. Otherparameters besides the variable parameters of the heat exchangerconfigurations were assumed to be fixed (i.e., non-variable parameters)in this illustration.

The graph of FIG. 19 can assist a designer in determining whichcombination of variable parameters (fin type, number of rows of coolantchannels in the airflow direction and fin density) and non-variableparameters best maximize, for example, heat removal while minimizing airside pressure drop (i.e., optimize the desired performance metrics) fora particular boundary condition. In this way, charts like that of FIG.19 can be created for each boundary condition, and the charts for eachboundary condition can be used together to determine which combinationof non-variable and variable parameters optimizes heat removal and airside pressure drop (i.e., maximizes heat removal and minimizes air sidepressure drop) for the boundary conditions.

FIGS. 20A & 20B depict another example of a graph useful in determininga combination of variable and non-variable parameters of a heatexchanger that optimize performance metrics for given boundaryconditions. In these figures, wherein FIG. 20B is a partially enlargedversion of FIG. 20A, the optimum values of fins/inch and fin thicknessesare illustrated for heat exchangers with a particular number of rows ofcoolant channels in the airflow direction for different combinations ofvariable and non-variable parameters. The graph of FIGS. 20A & 20B canbe constructed using data from the optimization method described above,or portions thereof. For example, the optimization method can be used toobtain the fin density and fin thickness for optimized heat exchangerconfigurations with a particular number of coolant channel columns inthe airflow direction in combination with differing variable parameters.These fin densities and fin thicknesses can therefore be consideredoptimized fin densities and fin thicknesses. The maximum and minimumoptimized fin densities and fin thicknesses can be plotted on a graph toshow the boundaries of the optimized fin densities and thicknesses forthe heat exchanger configurations with a particular amount of coolantchannel rows transverse the airflow direction. Any combination of findensity and fin thickness lying within the boundary is there anoptimized fin density and fin thickness (i.e., an optimized parameter)of the heat exchanger with that particular number of coolant channelcolumns transverse the airflow direction (and the combination ofnon-variable and variable parameters used to create the graph). Thisprocess can be repeated for heat exchanger configurations with differentamounts of coolant channel columns transverse to the airflow direction,such as shown in FIGS. 20A & 20B. Thereby, the graph of FIGS. 20A & 20Bcan be used to conjointly select an optimized combination of number ofcolumns of coolant channels transverse the airflow direction, findensity, and fin thickness (i.e., conjointly select parameters thatoptimize particular performance metrics) of the heat exchanger.

Those skilled in the art should note that one or more of theabove-described steps, or a portions thereof, may be performed orcompleted without the aid of a computer. In one embodiment, one or moreof the above-described steps, or portions thereof, may be performedphysically. For example, at least one of the performance metrics(desired, limiting, secondary, etc.) of the differing combinations ofthe variable and non-variable parameters for the boundary conditions maybe determined experimentally.

Further, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, controlaspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method orcomputer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present inventionmay take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirelysoftware embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code,etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that mayall generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or“system”. Furthermore, control aspects of the present invention may takethe form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computerreadable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodiedthereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable signalmedium may be any non-transitory computer readable medium that is not acomputer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, ortransport a program for use by or in connection with an instructionexecution system, apparatus or device.

A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limitedto, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared orsemiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combinationof the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of thecomputer readable storage medium include the following: an electricalconnection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, ahard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), anerasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), anoptical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), anoptical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitablecombination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, acomputer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that cancontain or store a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

In one example, a computer program product may include, for instance,one or more computer readable storage media to store computer readableprogram code means or logic thereon to provide and facilitate one ormore aspects of the present invention.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing an appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programminglanguage, such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventionalprocedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language,assembler or similar programming languages. The program code may executeentirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider).

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

In addition to the above, one or more aspects of the present inventionmay be provided, offered, deployed, managed, serviced, etc. by a serviceprovider who offers management of customer environments. For instance,the service provider can create, maintain, support, etc. computer codeand/or a computer infrastructure that performs one or more aspects ofthe present invention for one or more customers. In return, the serviceprovider may receive payment from the customer under a subscriptionand/or fee agreement, as examples. Additionally or alternatively, theservice provider may receive payment from the sale of advertisingcontent to one or more third parties.

In one aspect of the present invention, an application may be deployedfor performing one or more aspects of the present invention. As oneexample, the deploying of an application comprises providing computerinfrastructure operable to perform one or more aspects of the presentinvention.

As a further aspect of the present invention, a computing infrastructuremay be deployed comprising integrating computer readable code into acomputing system, in which the code in combination with the computingsystem is capable of performing one or more aspects of the presentinvention.

As yet a further aspect of the present invention, a process forintegrating computing infrastructure comprising integrating computerreadable code into a computer system may be provided. The computersystem comprises a computer readable medium, in which the computermedium comprises one or more aspects of the present invention. The codein combination with the computer system is capable of performing one ormore aspects of the present invention.

Although various embodiments are described above, these are onlyexamples. For example, computing environments of other architectures canincorporate and use one or more aspects of the present invention.Additionally, the network of nodes can include additional nodes, and thenodes can be the same or different from those described herein. Also,many types of communications interfaces may be used.

Further, a data processing system suitable for storing and/or executingprogram code is usable that includes at least one processor coupleddirectly or indirectly to memory elements through a system bus. Thememory elements include, for instance, local memory employed duringactual execution of the program code, bulk storage, and cache memorywhich provide temporary storage of at least some program code in orderto reduce the number of times code must be retrieved from bulk storageduring execution.

Input/Output or I/O devices (including, but not limited to, keyboards,displays, pointing devices, DASD, tape, CDs, DVDs, thumb drives andother memory media, etc.) can be coupled to the system either directlyor through intervening I/O controllers. Network adapters may also becoupled to the system to enable the data processing system to becomecoupled to other data processing systems or remote printers or storagedevices through intervening private or public networks. Modems, cablemodems, and Ethernet cards are just a few of the available types ofnetwork adapters.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise” (andany form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (andany form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any formof include, such as “includes” and “including”), and “contain” (and anyform contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-endedlinking verbs. As a result, a method or device that “comprises”, “has”,“includes” or “contains” one or more steps or elements possesses thoseone or more steps or elements, but is not limited to possessing onlythose one or more steps or elements. Likewise, a step of a method or anelement of a device that “comprises”, “has”, “includes” or “contains”one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is notlimited to possessing only those one or more features. Furthermore, adevice or structure that is configured in a certain way is configured inat least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are notlisted.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below, if any, areintended to include any structure, material, or act for performing thefunction in combination with other claimed elements as specificallyclaimed. The description of the present invention has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to beexhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.The embodiment was chosen and described in order to explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention throughvarious embodiments and the various modifications thereto which aredependent on the particular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: determining at least onecombination of parameters that optimizes at least two performancemetrics of a heat exchanger, the determining comprising: ascertaining atleast two variable parameters of the heat exchanger; ascertaining atleast one boundary condition for the heat exchanger; obtaining, by atleast one processor, at least two performance metrics for the at leastone boundary condition for at least two possible heat exchangerconfigurations of the heat exchanger that include different combinationsof the at least one non-variable parameter and at least two variableparameters; and using the at least one processor in determining which ofthe at least two possible heat exchanger configurations optimizes the atleast two performance metrics for the at least one boundary condition,the determining facilitating ascertaining at least one combination ofthe at least two variable parameters that optimizes the at least twoperformance metrics of the heat exchanger.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the heat exchanger comprises an air-to-coolant heat exchanger,and wherein the at least two performance metrics include at least twoof: heat removal of the at least two possible heat exchangerconfigurations; air side pressure drop of the at least two possible heatexchanger configurations; coolant side pressure drop of the at least twopossible heat exchanger configurations; weight of the heat exchanger;and depth of the heat exchanger.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising constructing at least a portion of the at least two possibleheat exchanger configurations and performing measurements thereon andgenerating the at least two performance metrics for the at least oneboundary condition for the at least two possible heat exchangerconfigurations.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least oneprocessor determines the at least two performance metrics for the atleast one boundary condition for the at least two possible heatexchanger configurations and the at least two variable parameters. 5.The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor utilizes theat least one boundary condition, the different combinations of the atleast two variable parameters, and the at least two performance metricsin producing a visual indication of a relationship of the differentcombinations of the at least two variable parameters with the boundarycondition(s), and the at least two performance metrics, and therebyfacilitates determining at least one combination of the at least twovariable parameters that optimizes the at least two performance metricsfor the at least one boundary condition of the heat exchanger.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor utilizes the atleast one boundary condition, the different combinations of the at leasttwo variable parameters, and the corresponding at least two performancemetrics in determining at least one combination of the at least twovariable parameters that optimizes the at least two performance metricsfor the at least one boundary condition of the heat exchanger.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, further including obtaining at least one limitingperformance metric for the at least two possible heat exchangerconfigurations, and filtering out a possible heat exchangerconfiguration of the at least two possible heat exchanger configurationsthat includes at least one limiting performance metric for the at leasttwo boundary conditions outside of an acceptable threshold before theusing of the at least one processor in determining which of the at leasttwo possible heat exchanger configurations optimizes the at least twoperformance metrics for the at least one boundary condition.
 8. A methodcomprising: determining at least one combination of parameters thatoptimizes performance metrics of an air-to-coolant heat exchanger, thedetermining comprising: ascertaining at least one non-variable parameterand at least two variable parameters of the air-to-coolant heatexchanger; ascertaining at least two boundary conditions for the heatexchanger; obtaining, by at least one processor, at least twoperformance metrics, for the at least two boundary conditions, of atleast two possible heat exchanger configurations that include differentcombinations of the at least one non-variable parameter and the at leasttwo variable parameters; using the at least one processor in determiningwhether a possible heat exchanger configuration of the at least twopossible heat exchanger configurations has acceptable performancemetrics for the at least two boundary conditions, thereby facilitatingdetermining at least one combination of the at least one non-variableparameter and the at least two variable parameters that provides desiredperformance metrics, for the at least two boundary conditions, of theair-to-coolant heat exchanger; and wherein the at least two performancemetrics include a heat removal rate from airflow across theair-to-coolant heat exchanger and an air side pressure drop across theair-to-coolant heat exchanger.
 9. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising constructing at least a portion of the at least two possibleheat exchanger configurations and performing measurements thereon andgenerating the at least two performance metrics, for the at least twoboundary conditions, of the at least two possible heat exchangerconfigurations.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least oneprocessor determines the at least two performance metrics, for the atleast two boundary conditions, for the at least two possible heatexchanger configurations and the at least one non-variable parameter,and the at least two variable parameters.
 11. The method of claim 8,wherein the at least one processor utilizes the at least two boundaryconditions, the different combinations of the at least one non-variableparameter and the at least two variable parameters, and the at least twoperformance metrics in producing a visual indication of a relationshipof the different combinations of the at least one non-variable parameterand the at least two variable parameters with the boundary conditions,and the at least two performance metrics, and thereby facilitatesdetermining at least one combination of the at least one non-variableparameter and the at least two variable parameters that optimizes the atleast two performance metrics, for the at least two boundary conditions,of the air-to-coolant heat exchanger.
 12. The method of claim 8, whereinthe at least one processor utilizes the at least two boundaryconditions, the different combinations of the at least one non-variableparameter and the at least two variable parameters, and thecorresponding at least two performance metrics in determining at leastone combination of the at least one non-variable parameter and the atleast two variable parameters that optimizes the at least twoperformance metrics, for the at least two boundary conditions, of theair-to-coolant heat exchanger.
 13. The method of claim 8, furtherincluding obtaining at least one limiting performance metric for the atleast two possible heat exchanger configurations, and filtering out apossible heat exchanger configuration of the at least two possible heatexchanger configurations that includes at least one limiting performancemetric for the at least two boundary conditions outside of an acceptablethreshold before the using of the at least one processor in determiningwhich of the at least two possible heat exchanger configurationsoptimizes the at least two performance metrics for the at least twoboundary conditions.